Fresno State: The Bulldogs have the nation’s best win improvement, going from one win in 2016 to nine this season.

Houston: Houston is second among FBS schools in Texas with 37 wins since the start of 2014. TCU leads the way with 38 wins in that span.

LAST TIME

This will be the first meeting.

BOWL HISTORY

Fresno State: The Bulldogs are 10-13 in bowls and playing in one for the first time since 2014, when they lost to Rice in the Hawaii Bowl.

Houston: The Cougars are 11-13 in bowls and playing in one for the fifth straight year.

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Fresno State linebacker George Helmuth (34) leads the team onto the field during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Boise State for the Mountain West championship in Boise, Idaho, Saturday, Dec. 2, 2017. (AP Photo/Otto Kitsinger)